Shark vs. Dyson: Which Vacuum Brand Is Better?
Updated: Mar. 29, 2024
Shark vs Dyson is a hotly debated topic. Our Product Testing Team tried a handful of different models from each brand to determine which cordless vacuum brand offers the best bang for your buck.
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Delving into the world of cordless vacuum cleaners means coming across two of the most popular vacuum brands on the market: Shark and Dyson. Both companies are practically synonymous with quality, offering high tech cleaning machines that eliminate all allergens in their path. As a result, those looking for a new cordless vacuum often find themselves wondering where they stand in the Shark vs Dyson discourse.
Further complicating things, cordless vacuums that last for years are an investment, and both brands boast sizable price tags. Because of this, the question of Dyson vs Shark is as hotly argued as the old HexClad vs All-Clad debate. What’s more, it’s not like you can just head to the store and test each vacuum prior to purchase. Or can you?
Conflicted cleaners, unite! Our Product Testing Team did the hard work for you. We put a handful of the most popular models from both brands to the test—15 tests, to be precise—in order to help you pick the vacuum that offers the best bang for your buck. Dust bunnies, wave the white flag. It’s time to meet our vacuum bag.
What’s the difference between Shark and Dyson?
When it comes to Shark vs Dyson, determining which brand is better isn’t as simple as looking at reputation. Both well-trusted brands in the cleaning space, Dyson and Shark boast thousands of loyal fans each.
Founded in 2007, Shark pioneered their No-Loss-of-Suction vacuum technology, making them a hit in U.S. households. From there, the brand released more than 25 different Shark vacuums including cordless, handheld and upright models. The brand now operates in nine countries nationwide. Their partner brand, Ninja, manufactures trusted small appliances, the most popular of which is the viral Ninja Creami.
On the other hand, Dyson, first launched in Japan in 1991, debuted the first bagless vacuum cleaner on the market. After winning the 1991 International Design Fair prize, the company expanded to the U.S. Their innovative cyclone technology quickly boosted the brand into a household name. Now, Dyson products sell around the world, and they’re not limited to cordless or upright vacuums, either—just take a look at the popular Airwrap and blade-free air purifier fans.
All About Shark
Shark vacuums tout themselves as “lighter, longer-running, more maneuverable, and more powerful” than other vacuum cleaners on the market. Their lineup of cordless vacuums includes a whopping nine different models, each offering different features for pets, allergies and emptying. A few models, like the newer Shark Wandvac System, come in several different shades to fit a variety of home aesthetics.
Shark’s main focus is offering lightweight vacuums that tackle common household problems like pet hair. Several of their models, like the Shark Pet Plus, convert into handheld vacuums. This offers additional convenience for de-crumbing couches, dusting upholstery and squeezing into tight spaces like stairs and underneath beds.
How We Tested Shark Cordless Vacuums
For the Shark vs Dyson debate, we chose to test five vacuums from Shark’s cordless vacuum lineup: Shark Stratos, Shark Vertex Pro, Shark Cordless Pro, Shark Pet Plus and the Shark Pet Cordless. We spent an estimated 40 hours on these evaluations, including researching, sourcing, intaking and testing the products.
Our evaluations are based on several test categories, including packaging and setup, specs and features, performance, accessories, cleaning and emptying and, finally, value. We rated each category out of five possible points, for a maximum total of 30 points overall.
Packaging and Setup
Overall, each of the Shark vacuums we tested came well packaged with its own Quick Start Guide. Note that this is different from the product manuals, which are available online rather than in print. That said, they gave a good overview of how to set up the vacuums and start cleaning.
Assembling all of the vacuums was really intuitive and took less than two minutes each. The lengthiest part of the process was unboxing and familiarizing ourselves with the clips, buttons and functions. From there, we charged up each cordless vacuum. All the Shark vacuums we tested took at least two hours to charge. The Vertex, Pet Plus and Pet Cordless vacuums took closer to three hours to reach full charge.
Specs
Each Shark vacuum we tested is relatively lightweight. Most average out at just over seven pounds with the battery installed. The Stratos model weighed significantly more at over eight pounds. However, it’s still lightweight enough to glide across the floor with little effort. Considering that cordless vacuums are pretty top-heavy, every little ounce counts!
In addition to weight, another important consideration is noise level. At their highest settings, most of the Shark vacuums (aside from the quieter Pet Cordless model) put out about 80 dB of noise. That’s comparable to heavy traffic or a noisy restaurant. On low power, most put out around 75 dB, which is the typical noise level of most vacuums. The outlier is the Pet Cordless model, which topped out at only 73 dB at its highest setting. While none of these options are exactly quiet, we recommend opting for this one if you’re sensitive to noise.
Features
Notable features include a flexible head on the Stratos that makes getting under furniture a breeze. Helpful LED headlights on the Stratos, Pet Plus and Pet Cordless models illuminate dirt and debris in dark spaces like underneath beds and inside closets. Most of the models also offer different modes for a variety of surfaces and soil levels. While the Pet Plus and Pet Cordless models don’t have additional settings, they both boast a pull trigger boost mode for extra dirty areas.
Performance
When it comes to performance, we considered battery life, maneuverability, couch clearance, recommended floor type and how effectively each picked up the litter we scattered. We tested several common debris types, including cornflakes, glitter, crumbs and real human hair from a salon—for science, of course! It’s worth noting that each Shark vacuum works on all floor types, though it’s important to use the correct attachment for each surface.
Most of the cordless vacuums lasted around 30 minutes on the carpet setting after a full charge. The Shark Pet Plus and Shark Pet Cordless died much quicker, running for only about 20 minutes before requiring a recharge. That said, the Stratos blew us out of the water with a jaw-dropping 42 minutes of incredible suction power.
In terms of maneuverability, Shark gets high marks across the board. Some models like the Shark Cordless Pro offered slight resistance over carpet. That said, each of the vacuums is easy to guide around furniture and glide along the floor. Clearance is similarly impressive, with Shark beating out Dyson for the top two spots. The best clearance ratings belong to the Stratos at just shy of three inches and the Vertex at 3-1/4 inches.
Most of the Sharks performed beautifully on both carpet and tile. However, most also struggled while picking up glitter on carpet, leaving a few specks behind even after a few passes. The two pet vacuums, the Pet Cordless and Pet Plus, performed best on carpet and kitchen rugs. We’d recommend springing for the latter, as the Pet Cordless unfortunately underperformed on the hair tests—not ideal for a vacuum marketed towards pet hair. Those with houses that have a majority of hard surfaces should stick to one of the other models.
The Stratos again impressed us with its performance, simultaneously killing it on both the cornflake and glitter tests while also snatching up a majority of the hair on our carpets. We attribute this to its CleanIQ, which automatically adjusts the vacuum’s suction level based on the amount of debris it detects.
Accessories
While not as tech-forward as Dyson, Shark vacuums boast myriad attachments. Each vacuum includes a crevice tool, but the other attachments vary based on model. The most impressive accessory is the two-in-one multipurpose pet attachment on the Cordless Pro. This tool lifted so much dust and debris off one of our dining table chairs that the fabric turned an even brighter white. While it’s not the best choice for delicate materials, the results are impressive.
We also enjoyed using the anti-allergen brush that comes with both the Pet Plus and Stratos models. Not only does it attach in a snap, but it also easily dusts neglected shelving in mere seconds.
Cleaning and Emptying
Cleaning a Shark vacuum is incredibly easy. Each of the models we tested cleans up nicely with plain water. Simply run the emptied dust cup under the faucet and dry thoroughly before replacing. The filters are similarly easy to clean using plain running water. Again, ensure that these thoroughly dry prior to replacing.
Our only hang-up regarding the cleaning process is that the filters don’t clean entirely under running water. For the most part, the filters looked grayish after the first use, and no amount of water fixed that. In addition, the dust cup on each vacuum is oriented in a way that it can be easily opened and spilled onto the floor by accident. It’s worth being extra careful not to hit the release button while cleaning!
Value
For the price, you really can’t beat the value of Shark vacuums. Even the Shark Pet Plus and Shark Pet Cordless models, which accumulated the fewest points, still offer pretty decent suction and performance for the lower price point.
The Vertex and the Stratos seemed like markedly higher quality, so although the Cordless Pro performed quite well, we were still surprised to see it was the same price point as the Vertex. In our opinion, those looking for the best performance should consider springing for the slightly costlier Stratos.
If you have a lot of area rugs, the Pet Cordless may be the best budget vacuum for you. The single brush roller has a higher profile that works well with carpet. However, it may not clean hard surfaces as well as other Shark models with the dual roller system.
Pros
- Includes our top performer, the Shark Stratos
- Relatively affordable
- Easy to maneuver
- Tons of attachments
- Performs equally well on carpet and tile
- Decent battery life
- Five-year machine warranty
- Two-year battery warranty
- Lots of different models
Cons
- Easy to accidentally open the dust cup
- No product manual in box
FAQ
What is the best performing Shark vacuum?
In our opinion, the top spot goes to the Shark Stratos. It impressed us during our tests with its lightweight design. Rear wheels make it highly maneuverable, as does the flexible bending wand to get under furniture. It stores in an upright position and doesn’t require a wall mount to do so, unlike the Dyson models. With its blend of high suction, impressive attachments and easy navigation, this model boasts high marks across the board and was our favorite vacuum overall.
Is Shark better than Dyson?
Both Shark and Dyson offer cordless vacuums with solid performance. That said, Shark vacuums are typically less pricey than Dyson’s models, and there are a lot more features and attachments to choose from. If you’re looking to tailor your vacuum to your home—taking into consideration flooring and overall use cases—you can’t go wrong with a Shark vacuum.
What Shark vacuum has the most powerful suction?
The Shark Stratos offered some of the best suction power during our Product Testing Team’s evaluations. Only one pass picked up most debris on tile floors, and three passes eliminated most of the glitter and cornflakes on carpet. This was easier to push on the higher-pile carpet than any of the Dyson models because of the large wheels. It also does an excellent job snatching up hair compared to the other models we tested.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Shark Cordless Vacuums
All About Dyson
Dyson’s main draw is their luxe look, longevity and scientifically-backed technologies. While they come at a steeper price than other cordless vacuum brands, Dyson vacuums typically last a lot longer, with some folks claiming they’ve used their vacuum for over ten years and counting.
Also offering nine different cordless vacuum models, Dyson’s focus is maintaining suction and offering flexible attachments that streamline cleaning. Even their budget options, like the Omni Glide, have at least one attachment for eliminating dirt and debris in tight spaces. Pricier picks, like the luxurious Gen5outsize Absolute, come with sci-fi-tier technology like a laser light that reveals hidden dust, an LCD screen that detects particulates in the air and a whole-unit HEPA filter.
How We Tested Dyson Cordless Vacuums
In our testing for the the Dyson vs Shark debate, we tried four different vacuums from Dyson: Dyson Gen5outsize, Dyson V15s Detect Submarine, Dyson v8 and the Dyson v12 Detect Slim.
Like the Shark tests, we evaluated each vacuum based on criteria in the following areas: Packaging and setup, specs and features, performance, accessories, cleaning and emptying and, lastly, value. We conducted the tests (including sourcing, researching and product intake) over the course of 40 hours in our Testing Lab. As with our Shark tests, we rated each category out of 5 possible points, for a maximum total of 30 points overall.
Packaging and Setup
All Dyson models arrive in a sleek slide-out box sans any branding, offering a sustainable packaging option. Because it opens up from the side, the box works well for accessory storage. It’s also easy to see everything in the box at a glance without digging, unlike the Shark boxes. Each vacuum also comes with an illustrated quick-start guide and a flyer that prompts you to download the Dyson App—more on this later.
Setup is simple, though it takes a bit longer than the Shark vacuums. We are able to assemble most in about a minute. In terms of charge time, Dyson vacuums took a bit longer than the Shark models, ranging from about three hours for the Detect Slim vs. a whopping four hour charge time for the V15s Detect Submarine.
Specs
In terms of weight, Dyson offers pretty distinct weight differences with each model. The smaller, slimmer v12 Detect Slim and v8 models weigh in at around five pounds, whereas the larger, more robust Gen5outsize and Detect Submarine models are closer to nine pounds. The attachments are also a consideration, with most adding about an additional pound to the total weight of the vacuum.
While the V15s Detect Submarine, v8 and v12 Detect Slim vacuums top out at around 80 db (or the noise level of heavy traffic or a loud restaurant), the Dyson Gen5outsize is a total powerhouse that puts anywhere from 84 dB to 86 dB depending on the setting. For reference, that’s almost comparable to the sound of an MIG welder on steel. Yeowch—that’s pretty loud!
Features
Dyson’s features are likely what tips these vacuums into their higher price point. A slick, easy-to-read LCD screen adorns the top of each model, sans the more basic v8. Most impressive is the Gen5outsize menu, which offers stats regarding the current vacuum session including the types and number of particles sucked up.
While insightful, we had difficulty deciphering some of the more nuanced menus. This is definitely one that you’ll want to read the manual for! Luckily, this model does arrive with a rather large instruction booklet.
Other features worth mentioning include a carpet pile height adjuster on the Detect Submarine and Gen5outsize models. The two other models offer a single mode (the v8) and low or max power settings (v12 Detect Slim). All the models are incredibly sleek, minimalistic and feel sturdy and well-made. Aesthetics is definitely an area where Dyson beats out Shark.
Interestingly, the V15s Detect Submarine requires holding down the power button to turn it on—there’s no option for it to be held down on its own. At first, we weren’t fond of having to constantly hold down the button, but we grew to like it—it’s nice to have the button and have so much control over the on and off. This makes it easy to turn on and off in a second if you have to move something or change floor types.
Dyson App
The Dyson App works for all of Dyson’s cordless models, offering a few extras that help with using and maintaining your Dyson vacuum. Instead of actually connecting and controlling aspects of your device, the app is a replacement for the traditional user guide. Each roller head has its own short video guide for usage and the videos change depending on which model and attachments you have.
It bundles information guides, troubleshooting tips, links to support forums, a Digital Assistant and quick access to a customer service rep. All in all, the app isn’t mandatory for your vacuum, but it is an easy way to access any type of information you would want or need for its operation.
The app itself works pretty well. It’s responsive when scrolling, and videos load fast on decent Wi-Fi. There is a Bluetooth connection option, but it seems to be utilized for their other products like air purifiers and headphones. In fact, we’re not even sure it’s possible to connect your vacuum to the app via Bluetooth. Instead, easily connect any vacuums using the device’s serial code.
Performance
Like the Shark tests, we considered battery life, maneuverability, couch clearance, recommended floor type and how well each picked up the debris. We used the same debris as the Shark test, opting for glitter, cornflakes, crumbs and hair. Battery life for the Dyson vacuums are pretty synonymous with the Shark models minus the Shark Stratos, with all averaging at about 25-30 minutes of runtime per charge.
With such a long charge time, you may assume that Dyson vacuums run for a longer period of time than the Shark models. However, Dyson vacuums averaged at about the same operation time, offering 25-30 minutes of continuous suction before requiring a recharge.
Unfortunately, most of the Dyson vacuums—with the exception of the Gen5outsize—simply pushed around the cornflakes on the vinyl floors. This was rather disappointing, especially given the higher price point. However, all the models performed exceptionally well on low-pile carpets, and save for the two lower-end options, each managed to pick up tons of hair without clogging.
In addition, Dyson’s edge-to-edge feature offers consistent corner-clearing results across all their models. Even the cheapest one still works great in this regard!
Accessories
The anti-tangle hair tool on the Gen5outsize and v12 Detect Slim was definitely our favorite attachment. Picking up the hair requires quite a few passes, but we didn’t notice any wrapping up or tangling. It’s super cool to watch the hair work its way through the screw and up the wand. Additionally, on the Gen5outsize model, the “Fluffy Optic” hard-floor cleaner head has a green LED light attached and lights up the ground where you are vacuuming. This really helps show every single speck of dirt on the ground.
That said, there are a few aspects we don’t enjoy. The Gen5outsize requires the crevice tool to convert to a handheld, which makes it very heavy while holding it and bending down due to the oversized dirt cup. The v8’s crevice tool also gave us a few complications. When blocked, the ventilator holes on the side of the crevice tool make the vacuum surge and stop working. This may be a safety feature so it doesn’t start a fire—we can smell it burning when this happens. Yikes!
Similarly, the v12 Detect Slim’s crevice tool only works on the lowest settings. On the highest setting, it behaves similarly to the v8’s crevice tool. It even gives us a pop up warning symbol on the screen when we attempt to use it on high power between cushions.
Cleaning and Emptying
For each model, the rubber portion around the dust cup’s edges really collect a ton of debris. It’s virtually impossible to get fully clean with just a damp rag. That said, everything else wiped clean effortlessly. Those concerned about this should opt for the v12 Detect Slim model. It’s the easiest Dyson dust cup to wipe down because of its orientation.
All of the Dyson filters were relatively simple to rinse, dry and replace. The v8 and Gen5outsize debris chambers were very easy to empty, and there were zero nooks or crannies for crud to collect. On the other hand, both the v12 Detect Slim and the Detect Submarine require a little digging to loosen up the dirt and dust inside, which is rather unpleasant.
Value
One place where Dyson differs wildly from Shark is in the price point of its vacuums. Whereas the most expensive Shark vacuum we tested topped out at $499, Dyson’s cordless vacuum models start at $299.99 for the most basic vacuum and skyrocket up to $1,049.99 for the Gen5outsize. However, the sleek design and myriad features make up for this discrepancy in price.
The performance of the Gen5outsize was by far the best of all the Dysons. The only downside is the bulk. Plus, it isn’t as easy to maneuver, though it does come with tons of useful attachments. A less costly option is the v8, which is more agile than the Gen5outsize with many of the same attachments. However, it has a smaller dirt cup which requires more frequent emptying. Those in smaller spaces should consider the v12 Detect Slim, which offers a smaller profile that easily maneuvers tight areas.
Pros
- Solid, high-quality materials that last
- Vacuums come with a two-year warranty
- Sleek, minimalistic design
- Tons of useful attachments
- Attractive LED navigation menus
- Well-packaged boxes work well for storage
- All vacuums come with a wall-mounted dock
Cons
- Pricier than Shark vacuums
- Crevice attachments gave us some trouble
- Take quite a while to charge
FAQ
Is Shark or Dyson better?
Both Dyson and Shark offer cordless vacuums with solid performance. That said, Dyson vacuums offer a sleeker design, a wider variety of attachments and easier navigation via LED screen menus.
What is the average lifespan of a Dyson vacuum cleaner?
Dyson claims that the average lifespan of their vacuums is around 5 years. That said, some folks use theirs for up to ten years before requiring a replacement, making them an excellent investment.
Should you empty Dyson after every use?
We recommend emptying and cleaning your Dyson after every use in order to preserve the vacuum’s suction and filter integrity.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Dyson Cordless Vacuums
The Bottom Line: Shark vs Dyson
So, when it comes to Shark vs Dyson, which brand comes out on top? Well, it depends on your own expectations and needs. Those looking for a budget pick that offers big bang for your buck and tons of flexible attachments should consider a Shark vacuum. On the other hand, anyone seeking style and substance in a machine that’s built to last for years can’t go wrong with a Dyson.
Regardless of the brand you choose, it’s important to look at the features and attachments to ensure that the vacuum you choose will meet the demands of your household.
Originally Published: March 29, 2024
